Birmingham City Council to lose control of children's services deemed 'a national disgrace'

Birmingham’s children’s services, once branded a “national disgrace”, are to be removed from the control of the City Council after years of scandal.

The announcement comes two days before the airing of a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, which is expected to expose chaos and rock-bottom morale at the beleaguered department.

Rated “inadequate” by Ofsted since 2009, the department had been subject to Government oversight as it tries to improve.

It is now time to consider a model that has social workers at its centreBirmingham City Council

However, a Department of Education spokesman said yesterday that change had “not gone far enough, fast enough”, meaning children’s services in the city will now be run by a trust.

Channel 4 yesterday claimed to have seen documents proving the announcement was rushed out because of their investigation, which they say will show the serial mishandling of cases where children are at risk of physical or sexual abuse.

The council-run service was been heavily criticised following notorious child deaths, including that of seven-year-old Khyra Ishaq, who was starved to death in 2008, and Keanu Williams two, who was murdered by his father in 2011.

Last year David Cameron warned local authorities that failing children’s services would be taken over by independent experts or charities.

A Department for Education spokesman said yesterday: “Nothing is more important than keeping children safe.

“The Prime minister was clear that we cannot tolerate failure in children’s services.

“This is why we are looking at the best next steps including moving towards a voluntary trust.”

David Cameron warned local authorities would lose control of children's services that failedCredit:
TELEGRAPH

Birmingham City Council said the move to a trust was a voluntary decision and “The next logical step on our improvement journey”.

“We are now at the start of the third year of our agreed improvement journey plan and it is acknowledged by our Children’s Services Commissioner that expected progress has been made,” he said.

“Key to this has been putting families at the centre of social work.

“It is now time to consider a model that has social workers at its centre.”

He said the move to a voluntary trust was subject to a vote by the City Council cabinet.

The Government appointed Lord Warner as an external commissioner to oversee Birmingham’s children’s services in 2014.

He was replaced by Andrew Christie from Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea councils in December last year to continue the three-year review of the department.

While improvements have been made, it was decided more was needed.

The number of Birmingham children’s social workers stood at 650 in September 2015, up more than 100 from 12 months before.